Box making machine



Dec. 7, 1937. A, L, ROSENMUND 2,101,457

BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1955 15 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. aLKOSENMUND ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 7, 193 7.

A. L. ROSENMUND BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1935 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ALEOSEN MUND A TTORNEYS.

D 1937. A. 1.. ROSENMUND 2,101,457

BOX MAKING MACHINE Fil ed Aug. 21, 1955 15 $heets-Sheet 5 0 .2 INVENTOR.

A. L. R05 E NMUN D A TTORNEYS.

Dec. 7, 1937.

A. L. ROSENMUND BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1935 155beetS-Shee 4 INVENTOR AL-ROSENMUND BY fi MG //GW:1&T?ORNEYS.

Dec. 7, 1937. A. L. ROSENMUND BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1935 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR A L ROSENMUND BY 1 a "/QAMQ %RNEYS.

Dec. 7, 1937.

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Dec. 7, 1937. A. ROSENMUND BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1935 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 Q. L m

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IN V EN TOR.

L M w N wm F ,R m A Dec. 7, 1937. A. L. ROSENMUND BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1935 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 D KW mM. MN VE g '9 /%ORNEYS.

Dec. 7, 1937. A ROSENMUND 2,101,457

BOX MAKING MACH INE Filed Aug. 21, 1955 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 Cb a) n o I n Y) Q a G m 0 O I Q n o 3 9. (05 m O In 0 0 lo I v "7 I: g 9. o

INVENTOR. A.L.ROSENMUND ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 7, 1937. ROSENMUND 2,101,457

BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1935 15 Sheets-Sheet 10 EFF O INVENTOR.

n 1 \9 ALKOSENMUND In n BY r,

D A TTORNEYS.

1937. A. L. ROSENMUND 2,101,457

BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21 1935 15 Sheets-Sheet ll A 5J2, I T 3 P J 25 26 67 3 nlllll llll lllllllllh I I I t 74- 0 o O 77 INVENTOR.

ALROSENMUND Dec. 7, 1937.

A L. ROSENMUND BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1935 15 Sheets-Sheet l2 JNVENTOR.

ALJQOSENMUND I /4MM!Z ATTORNEYS.

1937. A. ROSENMUND BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1935 15 Sheets-Sheet l3 l l l l l INVENTOR.

Q.l E05 ENMUND BY l0 fil m v- M.

ATTORNEYS.

1937.. A. L. ROSENMUND BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1935 15 Sheets-Sheet 14 m m mm m W J 1% R Patented Dec. 7 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOX mxmc MACHINE Delaware Application August 21, 1935, Serial No. 37,107

27 Claims.

This invention relates to box making machinery and particularly to machines for stapling binding wires to box parts.

It is an object of the invention to provide certain improvements in a machine of the character described.

It is another object to provide a machine of the character described which may be economically manufactured and operated and which is durable in construction and emcient in operation.

It is another object of the invention to provide a machine of the character described which is so constructed and arranged as to permit operating the same with a minimum of power.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a machine of the character described which is so constructed and arranged as to reduce wear and tear on the operating parts.

It is another object of the invention to provide improved means for positioning or locating the staples which are driven into the box parts.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

One illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a wirebound box blank machine embodying the invention viewed from the left side of the machine, i. e., from the left in Fig. 4.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine viewed from the other or right hand side of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the machine with 5 certain parts omitted.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the sprocket wheels for the conveyor link chain and showing the manner in which the links of the chain pass around the sprocket wheel.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the links of the conveyor chain.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a succession of links of the conveyor chain and showing secured to one of the links a lead block for throwing the staple controlling mechanism into operation.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a lead block and the means for securing it to a link.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the staple controlling mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a shifter block used in the staple controlling mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one type of trip block used in the staple controlling mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a. perspective view of another type of trip block used in the staple controlling mechanism.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a feed screw nut used in the staple controlling mechanism.

Figs. 15 and 16 are perspective views of devices used in the staple controlling mechanism to reverse the travel of the feed screw nut. 10

Fig. 17 is a top plan view of the devices which throw the stapling mechanism into and out of operation.

Fig. 18 is a side elevation of the inside of the left hand frame of the stapler carriage viewed 15 from the right hand side of the machine and showing the latch and control bar which operate the clutch buffer and brake.

Fig. 19 is a side elevation of the devices shown in Fig. 17 viewed from the right hand side of the 20 machine.

Fig. 20 is an enlarged side elevation of the stapler carriage viewed from the left hand side of the machine and illustrating the manner in which the carriage is rocked to move with the 26 work during a stapling operation and to return to initial position following a stapling operation.

Fig. 21 is a top plan view of the same.

Figs. 22 and 23 are enlarged side elevations of 30 the brake mechanism showing respectively the brake disengaged and engaged.

Fig. 24 is an enlarged side elevation of the mechanism for feeding staple stock wire to the staple forming and driving units. 35

Figs. 25 and 26 are enlarged detail views of the staple stock wire feeding mechanism, being respectively a side elevation and an end elevation.

Fig. 27 is an enlarged top plan view of one 40 of the staple forming and driving units.

Fig. 28 is a sectional view taken on the line 28-28 of Fig. 27.

Fig. 29 is a sectional view taken on the line 2949 of Fig. 27.

Figs. 30 to 33 inclusive are enlarged perspective views of details of a staple forming and driving unit during different phases of its operation. 50

Fig. 34 is an enlarged side elevation of the clincher mechanism and means for operating the same.

Fig. 35 is an end elevation of the same viewed {tom the receiving end of the machine. 55

Fig. 36 is a detailed sectional view of the end support for the clincher bar.

Fig. 37 is an end elevation partly in section of one of the clincher units beneath one of the conveyor chains and showing the position of the chain and the box parts relative to the stapler unit prior to a stapling and clinching operation.

Fig. 38 is a similar view but showing the position of the parts during a stapling and clinching operation.

Fig. 39 is a similar view but showing the manner in which the clincher accommodates itself to an additional thickness of box material.

Fig. 40 is similar to Fig. 37 but shows a clincher unit supporting a thin strip of side material without any cleat reenforcement; this view showing the position of the clincher and stock prior to a stapling operation.

Fig. 41 is similar to Fig. 40 but shows the position of the parts during a stapling and clinching operation.

Fig. 42 is similar to Fig. 41 but shows the mannerin which the clincher accommodates itself to an added thickness of box material.

Fig. 43 is a top plan view of one product of the machine, namely, a wired cleat reenforced box blank.

Fig. 44 is a top plan view of another product of the machine, namely, a wired cleat reenforced crate blank.

Fig. 45 is a top plan View of still another product of the machine, namely, a series of wire-connected box or crate ends.

Referring to Figs. 43, 44, and 45, three different types of product which the machine of this invention is capable of producing are shown. Fig. 43 illustrates a wired cleat reenforced box blank consisting of four sections designated respectively A, B, C, and D, each section consisting of a sheet or sheets of side material a, cleats b, and binding wires 0 stapled to the wooden elements by staples e. The wires 0 extend across and are stapled to the several sections, thus connecting them in foldable relationship. The four sections A, B, C, and D when folded at right angles to each other form the front, bottom, rear and top of a box. Sections A and C for the front and rear sides of the box are usually of the same size, while sections B and D for the bottom and top of the box are also usually of the same size, but sections A and C may differ in size from sections B and D, depending upon the dimensions desired in the completed box. Sections A and C being of the same size require the same number of staples driven over each binding wire, while sections B and D may require a greater or lesser number of staples driven into each section than are driven into sections A and C. For example, in the illustrative box blank shown in Fig. 43, sections A and C each have six staples driven over each binding wire, while sections B and D have eight staples driven over each binding wire.

It is desirable that the first and last staple of each section shall be located a definite distance from the edge of the section, for example, 1% inches. It is also desirable that no staples be drivenbetween the last staple of one section and the first staple of the next succeeding section.

In Fig. 44 is shown a wired cleat reenforced crate blank consisting of four sections of spaced slats f reenforced by cleats g and having wires h stapled thereto by staples i. It is desirable that two staples 2 be driven over each binding wire into each slat j; that each staple in each slat be located a definite distance from the edge of the slat; and that no staples be driven between slats or between sections of the blank.

In Fig. 45 is shown a succession of wire-connected box ends, each consisting of a sheet or sheets of box material 7' having wires k: stapled thereto by staples I. When the wires have been stapled to a succession of box ends, as shown on the machine of this application, the wires connecting the successive box ends are severed and loops formed on the severed ends for the purpose of connecting the box end to the box sides. It is desirable that the first and last staple in each box end be positioned and located a definite distance from the edge of the box end.

The machine of this application receives'the box elements to which the wire is to be stapled on endless conveyor chains which correctly position the box elements relative to each other and feed them continuously at substantially a uniform speed beneath staple forming and driving mechanism which forms and drives the staples over the binding wires into or through the box parts and clinches such staple legs as may be driven through the box parts.

The staple forming and driving units are supported on a carriage which is reciprocated or rocked to move with the work during a stapling operation and to return to initial position following a stapling operation.

The clincher mechanism is carried by the stapler carriage to move with the staplers during a staple driving and clinching operation.

Movement of the stapler carriage during the operation of the stapling and clinching units is controlled by a staple controlling mechanism which is thrown into operation as each box blank or other unit of work reaches the stapling plane, and thereafter automatically controls the driving of each successive staple which is driven into the box blank or unit of work, locating each staple where desired in the box blank or unit of work. When the last staple has been driven into the box blank or.uni.t of work, the staple controlling mechanism is automatically thrown out of operation and no staples are driven until the forward edge of the next box blank or work unit reaches the stapling plane and again throws the staple controlling mechanism into operation, all as will now be described in detail.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the illustrative "means for positioning and conveying the box parts through the machine comprise a pair of endless link chains i adapted to ride in channel guides 2 supported at the receiving end of the machine by a cross bar 3 which connects side frames 4, and at the delivery end of the machine by a cross .bar 5 which connects side frames 6. At the receiving end of the machine the endless link chains l are trained over idler sprocket wheels 1 on a shaft 8 journaled in bearings 9 adjustably supported on brackets I0 extending from side frames 4. .At the delivery end of the machine the endless link chains I are trained over driven sprocket wheels ll keyed to a shaft l2 suitably journaled in bearings in the side frames 6. .The chains l are preferably relatively adjustable laterally to acconnnodate boxes or crates of different dimensions and may be lengthcned or shortened by inserting or removing links, the bearings 9 for shaft 8 being adjustable from and toward shaft l2 to accommodate variations in the length of the chains I.

As best shown in Figs. 6 and '7, the links of the endless chains I are preferably channelshaped to receive the cleats of 'a'box or crate blank and the outer flange i3 serves to prevent lateral movement of the box side material, and also serves as a support for the blocks which position the box parts and for the blocks which control the operation of the staple controlling mechanism hereinafter described.

A control block for the staple controlling mechanism is shown in Figs. '7 and 8 and is designated H. The block l4 and other blocks which are used for positioning the box parts-may be secured to the links of the endless chains l by means of a screw bolt l5 having a head iii to dovetail in a'slot I! in the block, and the outer end of which bolt extends through a slotted opening l8 formed in the inner flange of the link. The screw bolt It may be held in tightened position by a nut |9.-

Because the blocks can be secured to the links of the endless chain by means of one bolt, the extremity of the block may extend beyond the end of a link and into an adjacent link without interfering, with the passage of the links over the sprocket wheels (see Fig. 5).

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the endless link chains I are advanced continuously at approximately a. uniform speed by a suitable shaft and gear connection with a. drive pulley 20 on a drive shaft 2| Journaled in side frames 6. Fixed on the drive shaft 2| is a helix gear 22 which drives a. helical gear 23 fixed to a shaft 24 journaled in bearings 25 mounted on side frame 6. The other end of shaft 24 carries a. worm 26 which drives a. gear 21 fast on shaft 2. Rotation of shaft |2 drives sprocket wheels I! secured thereto and advances endless link chains continuously at substantially a uniform speed. The distance through which the endless link chains are moved per revolution of the drive pulley may be varied by utilizing different combinations of reduction gears. In the illustrative machine the gearing is such that the link chains I move 1 inches per revolution of the drive pulley 29. Rotatably mounted on the end of shaft 2| is an idler pulley 23 to which the drive belt (not shown) may be shifted to stop the machine.

Thus it will be seen that when the drive belt (not shown) is shifted from idler pulley 28 to drive pulley 20, drive shaft 2| will be rotated and conveyor chains I carrying the box parts will be advanced continuously at substantially a uniform speed.

The mechanism for forming, driving and clinching the staples is supported by a stapler carriage which is caused to move with the box parts and at substantially the same rate of speed during a staple driving operation and then return to initial position.

As shown in Fig. 4, the stapler carriage consists of two frames each having an inside plate 29, a base plate 30, and an outside plate 3|. The two frames are connected by cross bars 32 and are hung from side frames 6 of the machine by arms 33 (see Fig. 20) pivoted at their upper extremities to s de frame 5 and at their lower extremities to outside plate 3! of the stapler carrage frame, thus permitting the carriage to be rocked or swung back and forth.

The stapler carriage is rocked on the arms 33 through the action of eccentric cams 34 mounted on a shaft 35 (hereinafter called the stapler shaft) which is journaled in bearings supported by plates 29 and 3| of the stapler carriage frame and extends through an elongated opening in side frame 6 at each side of the machine. At each side of each of said openings and bolted to the outside of frame 6 is a. plate 35. Each eccentric cam 34 is located between spaced plates 36 and bears against said plates. When shaft 35 is rotated it will be reciprocated horizontally through the action of eccentric cams 34 and plates 36. Rotation of shaft '35 causes reciprocation of the stapler carriage. The full and dotted lines in Figs. 20 and 21 illustrate the manner in which the eccentric cams 34 cooperate with the plates 36 when shaft 35 is rotated to cause the stapler carriage to reciprocate.

The staple forming and driving units of which there may be several (one for each binding wire to be stapled) are adjustably secured to a cross bar 31 supported by plates 29 of the stapler carriage. Said units, the details of which will be described hereinafter. are each operated by an arm 38 secured to a rock shaft 39 journaled in plates 29 and extending beyond said plates. Shaft 39 is rocked by eccentrics 40 on stapler shaft 35 acting through pitmen 4| and arms 42 fixed to rock shaft 39.

As shown in Figs. 34 to 36, the clincher units (one for each stapler head) which will be described in detail hereinafter are adjustably secured to a cross bar 44 slidable vertically in guideways formed in or secured to plates 29 of the carriage frame. The cross bar 44 is reciprocated vertically in timed relation to the operation of the stapler heads by cams 45 fixed to stapler shaft 35, which cams contact the under side of cross bar 44;

Stapler shaft 35 which operates both the stapler heads and the clincher units is rotated by power communicated from the drive shaft 2| As shown in Fig. 1, drive shaft 2| carries a pulley 41 keyed to drive shaft 2|. A belt 48 connects pulley 41 with a pulley 49 loosely mounted on stapler shaft 35. Pulley 49 is clutched to stapler shaft 35 at selected times to cause rotation of stapler shaft 35. For this purpose a controllable clutch 50 (Figs. 3, 9, and 10) is employed and such clutch is thrown into and out of operation at selected times by the staple controlling mechanism presently to be described. A suitable clutch is shown in my co-pending application Serial No. 746,655, filed October 3, 1934, reference to which is made for a detailed description. Other types of con trollable clutch may be used.

As shown in Fig. 1, the binding wire W for the box parts is carried on reels 5| supported by the upper framework of the machine, is guided beneath the staplers in the usual way by guide rollers 209 (see Fig. 27) and is pulled along by reason of its'attachment to the moving work.

The staple stock wire S from which the staples are formed is carried by reels 52 also supported by the upper framework of the machine, and is fed to each stapler head continuously at substantially a uniform speed by the mechanism now to be described.

Referring to Figs. 24, 25, and 26, the staple stock wire S is drawn from reels 52 by feed rollers 53 and 54. Roller 53 is keyed to a shaft 55 journaled in plates 29 of the stapler carriage frame. Roller 54 is mounted on an eccentric 56 carried by a shaft 51 supported by plates 29 of the carriage frame. Roller 54 is free to rotate on eccentric 55. Extending from eccentric 56 is an arm 58. Secured to the outer end of arm 58 is a spring 59 the upper end of which is attached to one of the cross bars of the stapler carriage. The spring 59 is constructed and arranged to exert an upward pull on the outer end of the arm 58. to press roller 53 to grip the wire S between the two rollers so that when roller 53 is rotated the wire will be fed by the rollers to the staple forming and driving head. v.

To rotate the rollers, shaft 55 is rotated through a helix gear 60 keyed to stapler shaft 35, which helix gear meshes with a helix gear 6| on a shaft 52 journaled in bearings 58 carried-by plate 29. The other end of shaft 62 carries aworm 64 which rotates a gear 65 fast on shaft 55.

Thus when stapler shaft 35 is rotated a strand of staple stock wire is fed to each stapling unit which operates to sever the continuously moving wire into proper lengths and form the severed pieces into staples and drive the same into the moving box parts.

As heretofore stated, the machine will be equipped with as many stapler units as there are binding wires to be stapled to the box parts. A description of one unit will sufiice.

Referring to Figs. 27 to 33, the staple forming and driving elements operate in connected houslugs 56 and 61 which, as heretofore stated, are adjustably secured to cross bar 31 of the stapler carriage.

The staple stock wire S is fed by the feed rollers 53 and 54 through a flexible guide tube 10 toward a vertically reciprocating staple former 11 provided with a cutting edge 12 adapted to cooperate with a fixed cutter 13 carried by the housing and sever a length of wire upon the downstroke of the staple former 1 i.

Continued downward movement of the staple former 1| bends the severed wire over a loop bar 14 fixed to the housing to form a staple, as shown in Fig. 32.

While the staple former 1| is in the normal path of travel of the wire S, the wire is deflected by a beveled surface formed on one side of the staple former'and is fed to one side of the staple former as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 31. The wire continues to be fed to one side of the staple former 11 until the staple former ascends above the normal path of travel of the wire S, whereupon the resilient guide tube 10 returns the wire S to the normal path of travel below the staple former 1| (see Fig. 30).

When the staple former 1| bends the severed wire over the loop bar 18 to form a staple, the legs of the formed staple are forced into grooves 15 of the former 11. After the staple has been formed the staple former 1| ascends. As the former 1| ascends, the staple is forced out of the grooves 15 by means of a stripper 15 carried by the housing (see Figs. 29 and 30) When the staple is stripped from the grooves 15 of the former 1| it is engaged by a shifter block 11 and moved over against the inner side of a driver 18 which isrigidly secured to the front of former 1!. As the former 1i ascends carrying the driver 18 with it. the staple pressed against the driver 18 by the shifter block 11 remains stationary until the driver 18 passes above the staple, whereupon the shifter block 11 shifts the staple into the path of reciprocation of the driver 18, the housing holding the staple beneath the driver. Upon the next down stroke of the former 1| and driver 18 the driver will engage and drive the staple downwardly into the work.

As shown in Fig. 30, shifter block 11 is formed with a recess 19 to receive the loop bar 14. Shifter block 11 is moved to shift the staple by a latch which is pivoted to the housing. The block 11 is connected by compression springs 8| to the lower end of the latch 80. The upper end 84 of the latch 80-contacts a bar 82 secured to the vertically reciprocating staple former 1|. The

upper end of bar 82 is cutaway or recessed, as

shown at 83. When the head 84 of latch 88 is opposite the recess 88, block 11 may be moved to the right in Fig. 30 to withdraw the block 11 from the outer end of the loop bar 14 to permit the former 1i to form a staple over the loop bar. Block 11 is moved to draw it away from loop bar -14 by the action of bar 82 which is provided at its lower extremity with a cam-surface 8| which engages the rear wall of the block 11 and forces the block to the right, as shown in Fig. 32, the recess 19 of the block permitting the lower end of the bar 82 to descend.

While the block 11 is positively shifted in both directions by the bar 82 and the latch 88, the spring connection between the latch 80 and the block 11 provides a pressure on the formed staple capable of yielding when it is pressed toward and beneath the driver 18.

It should be noted that the staple former and driver are connected to reciprocate together but in different vertical planes and that each staple after being formed by the staple former is positively shifted from the plane of reciprocation of the staple former to the plane of reciprocation of the staple driver, thus permitting the formation of one staple while another staple is being driven.

The upper end of staple former 11 may be connected to arm 38 by a slotted link 88 and pin connections 81 and 88 so that when arm 88 is rocked by shaft 39 as hereinbefore described, the staple former 1| will be reciprocated vertically.

The clincher mechanism is shown in Figs. 34 to 42. There will be as many clincher units as there are stapler units, and, as previously explained, the several clincher units are adjustably secured to the cross bar 44 which is vertically reciprocated in timed relation with the stapler operations by cams 45 on stapler shaft 35.

As shown in Fig. 36, the reduced ends of the cross bar 44 ride up and down between guide bars 90 secured to the inner faces of stapler carriage plates 29. The cams 45 on stapler shaft 35 acting on the bar 44 positively raise the bar 44 when shaft 35 is rotated.

While gravity will return bar 44 to initial position, a compression spring 9| may be interposed between the top of bar 44 and a cross plate 92 secured to guide bars 80 at each side of the stapler carriage. to assist in returning bar 44 to initial position.

Referring to Fig. 34, each clincher unit consists of a body member 88 secured-to the bar 48 by one or more set screws 88. Body member 88 is bored as at 95 to receive one or more plungers 96, the upper ends of which are connected to a clincher plate 91. Surrounding each plunger 88 and interposed between the plate 91 and a shoulder 98 in the bore 95 is a compression spring 99 which yieldingly holds the plate 81 in spaced relationship above the body member 93. The spaced relationship is limited by a head 100 on the lower end of plunger 98 which engages a shoulder III! in the bore 85.

As shown in Fig. 37, the clincher plates 81 of the two outside clincher units upon which the work conveyor chains I ride may be provided with a longitudinal rib or flange I02 adapted to fit into a recess formed in the under side of the conveyor chain links and thus prevent any sidewise shifting of the work during a stapling operation.

In Figs. 37 to 42 the stapler unit is designated generally by the referencenumeral I03. In Fig. 37 is shown a cleat b positioned in the channelshaped conveyor chain I and aside sheet a on top of the cleat b'in position to be stapled thereto. A binding wire overlies the side sheet a in position to be straddled by the staple when driven. In said figure the bar 44 is in its lowermost position, thus providing plenty of clearance between the top of the moving work and the under side of the stapler unit I03.

When the stapler, shaft 35 is thrown into operation in the manner hereinafter described, bar 44 is raised to the position shown in Fig. 38, bringing the work up into contact with stapler unit I03. During this movement the stapler and clincher units are moving with the conveyor chain I and the work. When the work is in the position shown in Fig. 38, the stapler drives a staple e over the binding wire, then through the sheet a and into the cleat b, the springs 99 having sufficient resistance to meetthe thrust of the staple legs. When there is an additional thickness of material to be stapled such as the batten designated a: in Fig. 39, the spring 99 is compressed as shown.

The clincher mechanism just described in which the clincher plate is spring-supported and in which the clincher unit raises the work into contact with the stapler unit for a staple driving operation is particularly advantageous in that such a clincher mechanism is adapted to operate without adjustment on various thicknesses of box parts.

Referring to Figs. 40 to 42, a different form of clincher plate 91 is shown. This form of clincher plate is used to clinch staples which are driven over the intermediate binding wires and through the side sheet material. In this form of clincher plate the rib or flange I02 is eliminated so that a horizontal surface may contact with and raise the side sheet a into contact with the stapler unit I03. In Fig. 40, the clincher plate 91 with the side sheet a above it is shown in its lowermost position providing plenty of clearance between the side sheet a and the stapler unit I03. In Fig. 41 the plate 91 has been raised, pressing the side sheet a. upwardly against the stapler unit I03. When in this position the staple is driven through the side sheet a and the plate 91 curls the staple legs back into the side sheet a, as shown in dotted lines. Fig. 42 illustrates the operation of an inside clincher unit when an added thickness of material such as the batten :r is being operated upon.

As heretofore pointed out, stapler shaft 35 is clutched to pulley 49 at selected times by a controllable clutch 50 to cause staple forming and driving operations.

As best shown in Figs. 22 and 23, clutch 50 is operated by a buffer arm IIO secured to a rock shaft III journaled in a bracket II2 carried by side frame 6. Shaft III is rocked by an arm II3 carrying a pin II4 which extends between guide plates II5 carried by a movable bar II6.

As shown in Fig. 19, bar H6 is supported at one end on side frame 6 by means of a link II1 pivotally connected to the bar H6 and to the frame 6. The bar H6 is supported at the other end by a link II8 pivotally connected at one end to the bar H6 and pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the frame 6 as indicated at H9. The lower end of link H8 is connected to a pin I20 on frame 6 by a spring I2I. Spring I2I normally tends to hold bar H6 and buffer arm H0 in the position shown in Fig. 22, in which position stapler shaft 35 is in clutching engagement with pulley 49. When bar 6 and buffer arm I I0 are moued to the position shown in Fig. 23, the clutching engagement is broken and stapler shaft 35 ceases to rotate through the action of a braking mechanism presently to be described. I

Buffer arm I I0 is moved to clutching and nonclutching positions by movement of bar H6. Bar H6 is moved to the right in Fig. 19 to disengage the clutch 50 by a latch I22 pivoted to outside plate 3| of the stapler carriage. When in the lowered position shown in Fig. 19, the latch I22 will upon reciprocation of the stapler carriage engage a pin I23 on link H0 and move the lower end of the link II8 to the left in Fig. 19 against the action of the spring I2I. This movement will move bar IIG to the right in Fig. 19 and move buffer arm IIO to disengage the clutch, thus stopping movement of the stapler carriage and the operation of the stapling units. The stapler carriage will remain inactive until latch I22 is raised to disengage pin I23, whereuponspring I2I will move link H8 and bar II6 to again engage clutch 50.

Latch I22 is raised and lowered at selecte times to throw the staplers into and out of operation by means of a link I25 pivotally connected to an arm I26 extending from a bar I21 mounted to rock in bearings I20 carried by frame 6. When bar I21 is rocked in one direction, arm I26 will be raised, thus raising link I25 and latch I22, and when bar I21 is rocked in the other direction, arm I26, link I25, and latch I22 will be lowered.

Bar I21 is rocked by a screw block I30 (see Fig. 14) which travels back and forth lengthwise the bar I21 and engages control blocks I3I adjustably secured to the bar I 21. As shown in Fig. 14, block I30 is provided with a threaded bore I32 to receive a screw I33 (see Fig. journaled to rotate in bearings I34 supported by. frame 6. The bottom of block I30 is provided with a groove I35 to straddle the top of frame 6 and prevent the block I30 from rotating with the screw I33, so that rotation of the screw I33 will cause block I30 to travel in one direction or the other lengthwise the screw, depending upon the direction of rotation of the screw.

As shown in Fig. 14, screw block I30 is provided with a U-shaped slide member I36 movable crosswise the block I30. Its movements are limited by pins I31. Extending from the inner face of each of the legs of the U-shaped slide member I36 is a pin I30, which upon movement of the screw block I30 engages a pin I39 or a pin I40 carried by the control blocks I 3| to rock bar I21 in one direction or the other, pins I39 being located to cause the bar to rock in one direction and pins I40 being located to rock the bar in the other direction. As shown in Fig. 13, a control block I 3| may carry a pin I 39 and a pin I40 to cause a quick throw-out and throw-in of the clutch. The type of control block I3I and its location on the bar I21 will be governed by the spacing desired between staples.

As shown in Fig. 9, control blocks I3I are adjustably secured to each side of bar I21. When screw block I30 is moving in one direction, slide member I36 is shifted so that one of the pins I30 will contact with the pins I39 and I40 carried by the control blocks I3I on one side of the bar I21, while the other pin I38 on screw block I30 will not contact the pins I39 and I40 carried 

